snakes in Lancashire ??

demicav · #1 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 05:05 PM

I'm very interested in reptiles especially snakes. Was wondering if anyone knows of any areas of Lancashire where snakes may have been sighted. Been doing some research online and it seems grass snakes may be more common the further south you go but hear adders are common all over. Would appreciate any advice and would be fantastic if someone knew of them being in the area. Thanks.

yellowhammer · #2 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 05:28 PM

I used to live in Ormskirk & Southport (where scousers go to die) and ther are plenty of grass snakes around there - try around Skelmersdale. Slow worms all over the place, and don't forget the sand lizards & natterjacks on the coast.

Best bet would be to get in touch with your local Amphibian & Reptile Group and you can find them here; ARG-UK - Amphibian & Reptile Group of United Kingdom

good luck!

phil2 · #3 (**permalink**) 26-02-2007, 08:54 PM

hi i was going to ask a similar question.were about is the slow worms of skelmersdale.
i havnt heard of vipera berus being to common in lanashire,i contacted the merseyside ARG but no reply so i wouldnt bother too much.

aeshna5 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phil2

hi i was going to ask a similar question.were about is the slow worms of skelmersdale.
i havnt heard of vipera berus being to common in lanashire,i contacted the merseyside ARG but no reply so i wouldnt bother too much.

Just looking at the distribution map for Adder in most recent Reptiles + Amphibia New Naturalist volume (map from Biological Records Centre), there appear to be very few recent records for Lancs, though many across the border in Scotland.

It's not a part of the country I know well, but it doesn't look promising for Adder finding, but still worth investigating potential areas over next couple of months or so looking for basking individuals.

phil2 · #5 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 03:22 PM

im in the same shoes as you im going this year all over well the north west looking for our reptiles,so if you hear of any sites let me know and ill do the same with you,pm me if you want,i dont know ANY sites in lancashire for adders but ive herad of some for CL.

goosey · #6 (**permalink**) 27-02-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demicav

I'm very interested in reptiles especially snakes. Was wondering if anyone knows of any areas of Lancashire where snakes may have been sighted. Been doing some research online and it seems grass snakes may be more common the further south you go but hear adders are common all over. Would appreciate any advice and would be fantastic if someone knew of them being in the area. Thanks.

Hi Demicav, if you were willing to take a trip to the next county I know there are Adders in Cumbria. When the A74 was being widened last May a family of 50 adders were moved to the Matterdale Forest near Ullswater before work began.

Sorry to be no use at all about Lancashire sightings

phil2 · #7 (**permalink**) 28-02-2007, 02:48 PM

lol did you see that on the prgramme 'wild thing i love you' it was good.

to be honest though because they are there i dont think you should go around disturbing them,i heard that they dont like that at matterdale.
p.s you dont nened to go that far nearly carlisle,theres plenty more soon as you enter to the lakes.

Varan Komodosky · #8 (**permalink**) 14-04-2007, 10:35 PM

I've seen grass snakes and an adder on Pendle Hill. Also, I've seen a squashed, dried and largely unidentified snake on the road that goes over the Nick O' Pendle, a really big snake, could have been a black mamba, but, you know, probably wasn't. Could have been an escaped pet though, like I said, big thing.
I've also seen a garter snake in Rowley Lake in Burnley. That caught me by surprise, I can tell you. I wonder if they breed?

demicav · #9 (**permalink**) 15-04-2007, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varan Komodosky

I've seen grass snakes and an adder on Pendle Hill. Also, I've seen a squashed, dried and largely unidentified snake on the road that goes over the Nick O' Pendle, a really big snake, could have been a black mamba, but, you know, probably wasn't. Could have been an escaped pet though, like I said, big thing.
I've also seen a garter snake in Rowley Lake in Burnley. That caught me by surprise, I can tell you. I wonder if they breed?

There are probably more snakes out there than people realise, some may even be escaped pets or deliberately released. I was very lucky to see a thriving population of adders in North Wales recently ( adders in Pwllheli ), it was fantastic. They're amazing creatures that should be respected and protected.